“I don’t give a fuck about anyone but you, Briggs. All I know this gig makes a shit ton of money. I know that it keeps you in the lifestyle that you’re used to. I can’t give you this life without him, do you understand?”
I shook my head. “I don’t care about any of that. Fuck the money, fuck this apartment, and fuck him,” I viciously spewed, pointing to the balcony.
“I care!” he argued. “None of this belongs to you, Briggs. I can do this for a few years, and I can set us up. We can get married, get a house, have you barefoot and pregnant in our kitchen.” He grinned and my heart melted.
He was saying everything I wanted to hear. Everything I ever wanted.
A home.
A life.
A family.
Us.
He stepped toward me, grabbing my chin again to look deep into my eyes.
“I love you. Trust me. I know what I’m doing. Let me take care of you. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
I took a deep breath. My resolve fading.
“Austin… I don’t—”
“I would never lie to you. I promise it will only be for a few years, baby. That’s all I need to give you your dream. To give you a happy life.” He grabbed the sides of my face, caressing my cheeks with his thumbs. “I want to marry you, Daisy. I want the white picket fence. The three kids I plan to knock you up with. The dog. The cat. The whole nine yards, baby. I want to give you the life that you deserve. No more sad stories. Only happy ones from here on out.”
“I want all that too,” I whispered.
My uncle walked back in from the balcony. Austin kissed the tip of my nose, murmuring, “You’re my girl.” Then he turned to face him.
I would forever remember this moment for the rest of my life. Two words. Two simple words.
“I’m in.”
Since the death of my parents…
Austin was the first place I ever called home.
He was also the first person to ever destroy it.
Chapter 25
<>Austin<>
“I’m in.”
Two words that changed my entire life two and a half years ago, Briggs was right. I had no fucking idea what I was getting myself into. There was so much that happened behind closed doors that she never introduced me to. That she never told me about for whatever the reason. I was her bodyguard for over two years before I took over and became boss man. After being in this lifestyle you would think I’d have experience, but I felt like I hadn’t learned one fucking thing. That I was seeing everything for the first time through new eyes, a completely different outlook on life and everything it had to offer.
The power. The respect. The money.
The drugs…
Jesus Christ, the fucking drugs.
When Briggs was in charge and we were traveling it was all about the meetings, the locations, the shipments, the costs, the quantities, and how to import it into the US. It was very rare that we saw or handled the actual drugs that she was trafficking. Unless we were partying, they weren’t really around. Except the pain pills and weed I had on me constantly.
But now…
They weren’t ever not around.
Briggs walked in with groceries in her hands. My girl had become domesticated since she had all the time in the world to do what she wanted. She hadn’t gone on runs with me in well over a year. It was better to have her stay home. I didn’t have to worry about her safety that way. I could handle my business and come home to her.
The best part of my day was coming to home to her.
Even after almost five years of being together, she still took my goddamn breath away. On several occasions I would come home and she would have Spanish music blaring through the speakers. Her hips and body swayed to the beat while she cooked our dinner. She looked sexy as fuck. I would stand there and watch her move in a way only Briggs could. So addicted to the sight of her dancing that I knew no one else had ever seen. I’d stand out of view, waiting until the song was over before I’d carry her to the closest place, where I would have my way with her. Ordering her to say dirty things to me in Spanish before I’d make her come with my tongue, my fingers, and my fucking cock.
“Baby, come try this shit,” I stated, snorting another line from the new shipment of blow we received that morning.
My boys Jon and Mitch were sitting on the couch across from me, smoking a blunt. They worked for Martinez too, and we became friends about a year ago. It was easier to have friends that lived in this lifestyle. I didn’t have to hide what I did or who I was.
It made things simple.
Briggs walked into the living room, cocking her head to the side. “How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t get high off my own stash.”
“Technically, it’s mine,” I replied, leaning back into the couch letting the blow take over me.
The distinct taste of the drip running down the back of my throat was the best fucking part. She shook her head in disappointment, walking out onto the balcony.
I sighed, getting up to go follow her out there.